Hawks

[David32]

Anyone had any luck in deterring hawks? We live in a very rural area with heavy vegetation and alot of large oak and hickory trees. We like to let the flock free range but caught a hawk trying to kill one a few weeks ago. Since then we only let them out when we are out in the yard and put them up when we cant supervise. Looking for recommendations. Thanks in advance!

 

[Peristeria]

I have the same problem but my quail are in a hawk proof cage so they're ok... I heard an owl decoy might work?? Youll have to move it around occasionally so they think its real or something... Idk but good luck with your hawks!

 

[David32]

I have the same problem but my quail are in a hawk proof cage so they're ok... I heard an owl decoy might work?? Youll have to move it around occasionally so they think its real or something... Idk but good luck with your hawks!

Thanks Peristeria, yeah I was think of an owl decoy as well but I'm just worried the chickens will get used to seeing the owl and not be afraid of a real one.

 

[centrarchid]

Thanks Peristeria, yeah I was think of an owl decoy as well but I'm just worried the chickens will get used to seeing the owl and not be afraid of a real one.

To start, species of hawk is important so figure out what it is. Can you post pictures of areas chickens free-range. Describe demographics of your flock.

 

[Peristeria]

Ah I can see where the chickens getting used to it would be a problem... with quail, well, mine arent scared of things they should be in the first place(dogs, snakes, etc.) they're a little dumb you could say

 

[centrarchid]

Ah I can see where the chickens getting used to it would be a problem... with quail, well, mine arent scared of things they should be in the first place(dogs, snakes, etc.) they're a little dumb you could say

Quail will be totally different issue that chickens.

 

[David32]

It's a red tail hawk and the demo... we have 9 total chickens 12 weeks old and 5 roos and 4 hens. We are working on getting the number os roos down to 2.

 

[centrarchid]

All immature, even when standard-sized will be extremely vulnerable to Red-tailed Hawk and Coopers Hawk. You will not have desired rooster effect until fall at earliest. For now I would restrict free-range time to later in the day. In your setting, that hawk will not be your only problem. In addition to restricting free-range time, I have been using chicken tractors. I have dogs and fencing too, plus very heavy cover that provides Red-tailed Hawks poor hunting. Same cover is not a well mowed lawn.

 

[David32]

Agreed they are to young at this point but hopefully in the future they will be more alert and weary of the predators from above. They have a coop and run both inside a chain linked fence so let's cross our fingers and hope we can eliminate some of the other predators i.e. the raccoons and coyotes,foxes

 

[Euan]

We have the same problem. Yesterday I put my 7 week old chicks out in a temporary covered run (We only have them out for part of the day as the new coop hasn’t arrived yet). Two hawks worked in pairs. One scaring the chicks to the other side of the run and the other killing them when they got close enough. We lost 3 birds and have one injured. I chased the hawks off and brought the remaining chicks in. However, they keep coming back. My wife approached the hawks clapping her hands but they just sat there and stared at her. She took the photo then got within 6 feet before I joined in and chased them off. New coop and run arrives today. I’ll assess it when I put it together but considering adding electrification deterrent around the outside.